Texans trade down before taking pair of offensive players in third round

Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room on Friday. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room on Friday. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey (8) with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey (8) with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Kyle Robertson / MCT

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The Texans selected Miami (Ohio) offensive lineman Brandon Brooks with the 76th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Miami (Ohio) offensive lineman Brandon Brooks with the 76th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Associated Press

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With their first pick in the fourth round, the Texans drafted Georgia’s Ben Jones, the second-ranked center behind Wisconsin’s Peter Konz.

With their first pick in the fourth round, the Texans drafted Georgia’s Ben Jones, the second-ranked center behind Wisconsin’s Peter Konz.

Photo: Brant Sanderlin / MCT

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Michigan State's Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189), who scored touchdowns five different ways for the Spartans, is an excellent return man.

Michigan State's Keshawn Martin (5-11, 189), who scored touchdowns five different ways for the Spartans, is an excellent return man.

Photo: Al Goldis / Associated Press

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Jared Crick (6-4, 279) played tackle at Nebraska. In the Texans’ three-man front, he’ll play end and move inside in passing situations. If he develops the way the coaches believe he will, Crick will be part of an inside rotation with J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith. less

Jared Crick (6-4, 279) played tackle at Nebraska. In the Texans’ three-man front, he’ll play end and move inside in passing situations. If he develops the way the coaches believe he will, Crick will be ... more

Photo: TOM FOX/Staff Photographer / The Dallas Morning News

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Randy Bullock, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker for Texas A&M last season, was drafted in the fifth round. He inherits the job vacated by Neil Rackers, who signed with Washington.

Randy Bullock, who won the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker for Texas A&M last season, was drafted in the fifth round. He inherits the job vacated by Neil Rackers, who signed with Washington.

Whitney Mercilus holds a Houston Chronicle with his image on the front page after arriving in Houston. Merciless is sitting with his brother, Donald.

Whitney Mercilus holds a Houston Chronicle with his image on the front page after arriving in Houston. Merciless is sitting with his brother, Donald.

Photo: Bill Baptist / Houston Texans

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Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room.

Whitney Mercilus poses for a portrait in the Texans' locker room.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Whitney Mercilus adjusts his tie after walking into the Texans' locker room for the first time.

Whitney Mercilus adjusts his tie after walking into the Texans' locker room for the first time.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans number one draft pick Whitney Mercilus smiles as he arrives to his introduction news conference at Reliant Stadium.

Texans number one draft pick Whitney Mercilus smiles as he arrives to his introduction news conference at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for photos with a Texans jersey following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 National Football League Draft. less

Houston Texans No. 1 draft pick Whitney Mercilus poses for photos with a Texans jersey following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Whitney Mercilus stands with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to pose for photos following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th overall selection in the 2012 National Football League Draft. less

Whitney Mercilus stands with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to pose for photos following a news conference at Reliant Stadium Friday, April 27, 2012, in Houston. The linebacker from Illinois was the 26th ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Champaign, Ill. less

Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey, left, with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

The Texans selected Ohio State wide receiver DeVier Posey, left, with the 68th overall pick in the third round.

Photo: Jae C. Hong / AP

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Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier (5) scrambles past Illinois defensive tackle Whitney Mercilus (85) in the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, in Ann Arbor. Michigan won 67-65 in triple overtime. less

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier (5) scrambles past Illinois defensive tackle Whitney Mercilus (85) in the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, in Ann Arbor. ... more

In this photo taken Sept. 10, 2011, Illinois defensive back Michael Buchanan (99) sacks South Dakota State quarterback Thomas O'Brien (4) during an NCAA college football game against in Champaign, Ill. With 26 sacks through seven games, Illinois has already sacked opposing quarterbacks three more times than it did in all of 2010. Buchanan has five and teammate Whitney Mercilus has 10 sacks, the best in the country. less

In this photo taken Sept. 10, 2011, Illinois defensive back Michael Buchanan (99) sacks South Dakota State quarterback Thomas O'Brien (4) during an NCAA college football game against in Champaign, Ill. With 26 ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Whitney Mercilus, one of the anticipated top picks in the NFL draft, arrives at the 9th annual ESPN The Magazine Pre-Draft Party at The Waterfront in New York, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, held on the eve of the draft. less

Whitney Mercilus, one of the anticipated top picks in the NFL draft, arrives at the 9th annual ESPN The Magazine Pre-Draft Party at The Waterfront in New York, Wednesday, April 25, 2012, held on the eve of the ... more

Photo: AP Images for ESPN The Magazine

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In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. Twice suspended by the NCAA this year for accepting improper benefits, Dan "Boom" Herron is now adored by Ohio State fans because the team is winning and he's picking up big yardage. less

In this Oct. 15, 2011 file photo, Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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In this photo taken Oct. 15, 2011, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) combine to sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during an NCAA college football game in Champaign, Ill. With 26 sacks through seven games, Illinois has already sacked opposing quarterbacks three more times than it did in all of 2010. Mercilus has 10 sacks, the best in the country. less

In this photo taken Oct. 15, 2011, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) combine to sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during an NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and through Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois' defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. less

Illinois' defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) and linebacker Jonathan Brown (45) sack Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (5) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and past defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, in Champaign, Ill. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs over Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and past defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. ... more

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs through Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 in Champaign, Ill. Ohio State defeated Illinois 17-7. less

Ohio State running back Dan Herron (1) runs through Illinois linebacker Ashante Williams (25) and Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first half of the NCAA college football game ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Penn State running back Silas Redd (25) rushes for 14-yards past Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. less

Penn State running back Silas Redd (25) rushes for 14-yards past Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Football players, from left, Whitney Mercilus, Devon Still, Morris Claiborne, Luke Kuechly, and Mark Barron pose with the Bronko Nagurski trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, during a news conference in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Kuechly won the award. less

Football players, from left, Whitney Mercilus, Devon Still, Morris Claiborne, Luke Kuechly, and Mark Barron pose with the Bronko Nagurski trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football and ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus lines up during a practice for Saturday's Fight Hunger Bowl college football game against UCLA at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.

Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus lines up during a practice for Saturday's Fight Hunger Bowl college football game against UCLA at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.

Photo: Associated Press

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Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus (85) is guarded by teammate Nate Swanson (64) during practice in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in preparation for their Fight Hunger Bowl NCAA college football game scheduled for Dec. 31 against UCLA. less

Texans trade down before taking pair of offensive players in third round

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After hitting a home run with outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus in the first round of the draft, the Texans traded out of the second round on Friday and took chances with two third-round picks.

While the Texans were taking Ohio State receiver DeVier Posey and Miami, Ohio, guard Brandon Brooks in the third round, they were talking to teams about trading receiver Jacoby Jones, according to those familiar with their draft-day business.

The second day of the draft began with general manager Rick Smith trading the Texans’ second-round pick to Tampa Bay for third- and fourth-round selections. That gave the Texans two picks in the third round and three in Saturday’s fourth round.

With their first pick in the third round — just 10 behind their original second-round slot and 68th overall — the Texans drafted Posey, who served a pair of five-game suspensions as a senior last season and played in only three games.

By selecting Posey and seemingly destined to use another pick on a receiver, the Texans must think the draft is the ideal time to trade Jones if they can get a deal they like. As of Friday night, there were no takers.

With their second pick in the third round — 76th overall — the Texans drafted Brooks, who wasn’t invited to the combine.

If not for his suspensions for selling his Buckeyes memorabilia and accepting excessive compensation for a summer job, Posey (6-2, 211 with 4.44 speed) would have been ranked, and presumably drafted, much higher.
Early numbers impress

Posey had 60 catches for 828 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore and 53 for 848 yards and seven scores as a junior. Then he was part of the Ohio State scandal that caused the NCAA to issue suspensions.

Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, who thoroughly scouted Posey, didn’t want to speculate how high he would have been drafted if not for the suspensions.

“It’s hard to say, but when you look at the talent and he compares very well with some of the guys that went to Indy and you take the numbers that he had as a sophomore and junior and move that into his senior year, he’d be up with some of the other guys that were taken earlier,” Dennison said. “We thought it was a talent at that spot in the third round that we were comfortable taking.”

Meanwhile, the Texans selected Brooks, 6-5, 343, to learn behind starters Wade Smith and Antoine Caldwell. Brooks, who was a four-year starter in college, is heavier than any player on the roster, but he ran the 40 in 5.05.
“I feel extremely blessed, and I’m happy that Houston had the faith in me to draft me,” Brooks said. “I really appreciate it and I just want to thank the organization.”

‘Chip on my shoulder’

Obviously, the Texans weren’t concerned about Brooks not being invited to the combine.

“I understood that I could be invited and I could not,” he said. “I did use it as motivation to keep that chip on my shoulder, and that was kind of the big thing for me.”

Brooks started at tackle and guard, and even tried center in spring drills. The Texans like his versatility.

“I was one of those guys where it didn’t really matter to me where I played; whatever best helps the team,” he said. “It’s the same thing going into Houston. I understand I have to earn it and work hard to get it. I’m just versatile, and whatever they want me to play is definitely where I’ll play at.”

Brooks is a lot heavier than any player on the Texans roster.

“I’ve never coached a guy at that size, but we feel that he can do what we do,” said Dennison, a long-time line coach at Denver before he came to Houston. “He moves around well.

“The East-West Shrine Game is where I first noticed him, and he functioned and did very good for a guy that size.

“If you look at him, he doesn’t look like he weighs that much.”

HIGHS AND LOWS OF SECOND NIGHT OF DRAFTBEST PICK: OLB Courtney Upshaw, Ravens. Baltimore didn’t have a first-round pick but used the third pick in the second round on a pass-rushing outside linebacker who had been projected to go in the first round by just about everyone. He’s the ideal replacement for Jarret Johnson, who left as a free agent.WORST PICK: WR Ryan Broyles, Lions. He’s coming off surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and he was drafted in the second round even though he might not be 100 percent until 2013. He had been projected as a third- or fourth-round pick because of the surgery.BIGGEST SURPRISE: CB Janoris Jenkins, Rams. Jeff Fisher should have learned his lesson with Pacman Jones, but he took a chance on a talented cover corner with more baggage than any prospect in the draft. If Jenkins gets his head screwed on right, he’ll be a steal. If not, he’ll be a wasted pick.KEEP AN EYE ON: WR T.Y. Hilton, Colts. In the third round, they selected the 5-9, 184-pound mighty mite with 4.3 speed to become another target for Andrew Luck. He played at Florida International and may need a lot of coaching, but he’s got a lot of talent and is superfast but lacks ideal size.WHAT WERE THEY THINKING: DT Akiem Hicks, Saints. He was supposed to go to LSU out of junior college, but because of some recruiting trouble, ended up at Regina in Canada. He’s 6-4 ½, 318 and moves well. He’s raw and needs coaching but he’s got a lot of talent. Saints thought he was worth a third-round pick even though he was projected lower.PLAYING WITH A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER: WR Rueben Randle, Giants. Some projected him to go late in the first round, but just about everyone thought he’d go early in the second round. The Giants selected him with the last pick in the second round. He’s 6-3, 218 and capable of replacing Mario Manningham as a rookie.